In the green North
of Cape Verde

Individual Hiking Tour

São Nicolau, São Vicente, Santo Antão

Experience the remote beauties of Cape Verde on foot! Here we combine the natural paradises of São Nicolau and Santo Antão. For four days, hike on the touristically almost untouched island of São Nicolau with the colonial small town of Ribeira Brava. Paths through the nature park past thatched houses, sugar cane fields, and breadfruit trees. Then, after a short stopover in the cultural harbour town of Mindelo, we continue to the hiker’s paradise of Santo Antão. The second largest island of Cape Verde, Santo Antão offers endless spectacular mountain landscapes with occasional small settlements. For six days you will spend time with the friendly mountain people. No matter if you hike along the steep coast on mule trails, through tropical greenery past banana trees or mango and papaya trees … you will be thrilled by this island.

It is bookable throughout the year at the date of your choice!

Day 1: Arrival in Cape Verde

After arriving at Santiago airport, you will be transferred to your hotel, which is located on the plateau.

Day 2: The Capital Praia

Along with your roadbook, you’ll explore the centre of Praia. At the plateau, you will discover historic buildings and a colonial-style square.

Day 3: Arrival on São Nicolau

You will take a flight to São Nicolau. At the airport, you will be met by your driver. You will then be transferred to the island’s capital Ribeira Brava, a pleasant, family-run guesthouse. Here you can reach the centre within a few minutes’ walk.

Day 4: Walk to Queimadas

Along with your guide, you will start your first hike today, which will take you from the island’s capital Ribeira Brava to Queimadas. You’ll be impressed by the green, agriculturally used Queimada Valley. Sugar cane plantations can be found as well as mango and breadfruit trees. You will reach the Queimada pass on serpentines and finally the town itself. After a picnic, you will make your way back to the island’s capital.

Day 5: From Fajã to Ribeira Prata

Start today with a transfer from Ribeira Brava to Canto de Fajã, where your second hike begins (luggage transfer to your next accommodation). Along with your guide, you will walk over a pass in serpentines down into the green valley of Fragata, in which you will repeatedly see the traditional thatched cottages and pass vegetable fields. The final destination of your hike is the village of Ribeira Prata, from where you will travel by car to Tarrafal, taking up your accommodation for the night. The family-run accommodation is directly on the shore road and is popular with hikers.

Day 6: The Monte Gordo

Starting point for today’s hike is Cachaço. Along with your guide, you will climb Monte Gordo, the highest mountain on the island at 1,312 metres. Explore the nature park around the “Thick Mountain”, past dragon trees, and through the increasingly dense cloud forest to the top, where you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the island, as well as of the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding islands (provided visibility is good.

Day 7: São Vicente – Arrival in Mindelo

Arrival at São Nicolau airport and flight to São Vicente. On arrival at the airport, your driver will be waiting to take you to your accommodation in the centre of the colonial port city of Mindelo. You can walk to all the important sights as well as to numerous restaurants and bars.

Day 8: Mindelo – The cultural capital

You’ll be picked up from your hotel by your guide after breakfast. You will explore the colonial harbour town with its lively markets and historic squares together on foot. You’ll also get to know Mindelo from the cultural side: You will listen to stories from the life of Cesaria Evora and visit a museum dedicated to her.

Day 9: Santo Antão – from the plateau to the valley

You’ll take the ferry from São Vicente to Santo Antão and on arrival at the port you’ll be greeted by your guide. Along the old trade road from Porto Novo, you’ll drive up to Espongeiro, where you begin your first hike on this spectacular mountain island. Once on the plateau, you will set off on a grandiose descent with breathtaking views of the landscape again and again. You may get lucky and be offered goat cheese on the way, a typical product of the local area. You will spend the night in a family-run guesthouse in Coculi.

Day 10: Hike to the village Chã de Igreja

With your main luggage, you will be taken to the accommodation where you will spend the night the following day. You will start off with your guide after breakfast and climb approx. 500 metres in altitude. Time and again you will enjoy the view of the mighty Ribeira Grande valley. After you have crossed the pass, you continue the hike on the old mule track and descend to the village of Mocho. Then continue to Chã der Igreja, where the next hospitable guesthouse awaits you (overnight stay without main luggage).

Day 11: Along the cliff coast

During the day, you will undertake one of the most spectacular hikes in the archipelago: along the bizarre cliffs, you will walk from Chã de Igreja to Ponta do Sol, enjoying the views of the Atlantic Ocean and the coast. Before reaching your destination, you will pass the picturesquely situated village of Fontainhas with its numerous small field terraces. Arrival in the pleasant fishing village of Ponta do Sol. Enjoy the beautiful view of the coastline from the guesthouse, which is only a few metres away from the small harbour.

Day 12: In the green Paúl Valley

You will drive with your guide from Ponta do Sol to the greenest valley of Cape Verde, the Paúl Valley. On the next hike, you’ll pass through spectacular mountain scenery and tropical vegetation. Passing sugar cane and banana fields, you will discover mango and papaya trees. After these lovely hours, you will enjoy the national dish of Cape Verde, Cachupa, in the middle of the valley before heading to your accommodation.

Day 13: Day on leisure

Experience the intense time of the last few days and enjoy a day just the way you like it.

Day 14: In the southwest of Santo Antão / Back to Mindelo

Before saying goodbye to Santo Antão, let us show you the southwest of the island via an island tour. You’ll get to know a new side of Santo Antão: it rains only rarely in this area, yet bizarre mountain formations alternate with deep gorges and small, friendly villages. Sometimes one is reminded of lunar landscapes. Enjoy a traditional lunch on the way. Later in the afternoon, take the ferry from Porto Novo back to Mindelo, where you will check into the hotel you are already familiar with.

Day 15: Back to Europe

Transfer to São Vicente airport and return flight to Europe.

Who we are:

We have been organising trips to the Cape Verde Islands for more than 15 years with a German/Cape Verdean team of almost 20 people. Together with our drivers and guides, we work hand in hand on all nine inhabited islands of the archipelago. Looking forward to a trip organised by people who know the local area inside out and also have a lot of fun at work.

What you can expect from us:

• Competent advice on planning your trip
• Consideration of your individual wishes when creating the travel offer
• Carefully selected accommodation and drivers
• Qualified English speaking guides
• Varied excursions
• Detailed travel documents
• A 24-hour service number on-site during your trip

What you can expect from us:

• Competent advice on planning your trip
• Consideration of your individual wishes when creating the travel offer
• Carefully selected accommodation and drivers
• Qualified English speaking guides
• Varied excursions
• Detailed travel documents
• A 24-hour service number on-site during your trip

Services Not Included:

• Airport tax (3,400 ECV or €31)
• International flights.
  *You are welcome to book your international flights through us: With TAP Air Portugal, from an airport near you.

Booking request individual hiking tour:
In the green north of Cape Verde